How to Use Lavender Essential Oil for Natural Remedies to Common Ailments

Lavender is the most widely used essential oil and has been in use since the time of the Roman Empire. It is a sedative, analgesic, and an antiseptic.
Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region and is cultivated in France, Spain and elsewhere. It has been used for aromatic purposes by the Romans and other ancient civilizations in baths as well as other cleansing rituals. This herb has so many uses that cross barriers in culinary, cosmetics and medicine.
It is very effective in relieving headaches, especially when related to stress, to clearing depression associated with weakness and all types of mental depression.
For the physical external body, lavender oil has been used as a stimulating liniment to help ease aches and pains of rheumatism, arthritis, sunburn, bites, stings, scrapes, bruising as well as all of the ailments listed below:

Lavender Uses: abrasions, abscesses, acne, animal bites, antibacterial, antibiotic, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, athlete's foot, bleeding, blisters, boils, bruises, burns, catarrh, chapped skin, chilblains, colds, convalescence, coughs, cuts, dandruff, dermatitis, detoxifying, diaper rash, diarrhea, disinfectant, ear infections, fainting, febrifuge, frostbite, gingivitis, hay fever, headaches, heartburn, hiccups, immunity stimulant, influenza, insect bites, insect repellent, insomnia, itching, laryngitis, lumbago, muscular aches, nervine, neuralgia, normalizes skin, palpitations, rashes, scalds, scars, scrapes, sedative, shock, sinusitis, sties, sunburns, swelling, tendinitis, tonic, toothaches, ulcers, urticaria, vomiting, whitlows, whooping cough, windburns, and wounds.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• therapeutic grade essential oil of Lavender (lavendula angustifolia).
• I recommend Young Living, Bella Mira or Mountain Rose brands.

1. 
    
   drop of essential oil

   For burns, bites, stings, cuts, bruises, wounds, rashes, scrapes, etc...any skin type ailment, use a drop or two neat (without diluting) directly on the skin a few times per day until symptoms disappear.

2. 
    
   lavender

   For stress headaches and the like use a drop or two mixed with olive oil or similar dilutant (about 1 tsp.) and massage into temples while taking long, deep breaths (you may add a drop of rose, peppermint or basil to this and it works wonders!).

3. 
    
   aromatherapy dream

   For insomnia and sleeping problems put a drop or two on your pillow or sheets (or use a cotton ball placed inside your pillow) for a stress-free ticket to dreamland. You can also add to that a drop of mandarin, chamomile or valerian.

Tips & Warnings

• Lavender has so many uses that there really isn't space here to promote all its wonderful healing abilities, but one of its major wonders is its usage has a balancing effect on our central nervous system and because of that may help with bipolar disorder. It's pain relief properties make it a great oil for sprains or strains, bruises, cuts, scrapes, etc..especially in a blend with marjoram. As lavender has been known to promote the growth of new cells, it is suitable for all skin conditions. It has a very good effect upon bums and sunburn (A great sunburn relief gel is Aloe Gel mixed with a few drops of lavender and/or peppermint...fantastic relief!). Also great for healing wounds and preventing infections, and a super strengthening hair and scalp tonic.
• Lavender is always highly regarded for any type of skin and has been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations. The fragrance is calming, relaxing and balancing effects both physically and emotionally. It's also sedative to the heart, and aids in lowering high blood pressure. Very helpful in relieving insomnia & headaches. Also helps during childbirth; before, during and after. For the emotional effects; lavender can balances CNS, help relieve anger, tension, stress & hyperactivity in children (especially when blended with mandarin, makes and excellent calming child blend).
• Safe to use neat (w/no dilution).
• Skin: Promotes new cell growth.
• Good for acne, bums, eczema (almost all skin conditions!)
• There are too many to list, but by keeping Lavender close by, you'll always find a good uses for it!
• Lavender is one of the only essential oils that is safe to use neat (undiluted), but please do not ingest unless it is therapeutic or medicinal grade and recommended by an Aromatherapist.

Resources

• buy therapeutic grade Young Living Oils with this Distributor # 1064822

[oterri]

on 1/17/2010 I purchased lavendar on ebay and it smelled mediciney and am wondering if that is true lavendar or not. I just keep hearing how great lavendar is supposed to smell and feel like Im missing out on something! Great article!

[simplelife]

on 1/4/2010 I have a lavender plant in my garden and I just love it. I didn't know it had so many natural uses, I just enjoyed the fragrance and I harvest the lovely, fragrant branches and flowers. I have used it to make "lavender water" at least. Thanks so much for all the information, this is great!

[fastfoodtipster]

on 12/2/2009 Thanks so much for this article. I loved the info. Check out http://www.ehow.com/how_5699787_make-stretch-mark-cream.html

[mburt]

on 12/2/2009 Excellen article as I love lavendar. I have some growing in my yard and love the aroma.

[LS01]

on 10/29/2009 Nice tips.